Nevada Beach holds off British Isles in Native Diver Stakes
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Three weeks after he finished seventh in the $7 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, Nevada Beach won Saturday’s Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes at Del Mar as expected, but only after he fought past a stubborn rival in British Isles.
Nevada Beach ($2.20) closed from third in a field of four to race alongside 16-1 British Isles in the final furlong. Nevada Beach gradually gained the lead, winning by a half-length.
British Isles finished 2 1/4 lengths in front of 8-1 Westwood. Indispensable (9-2) finished last. Clouseau was withdrawn by trainer George Papaprodromou.
Nevada Beach, who was ridden by Juan Hernandez, ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.35 and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 96.
Nevada Beach raced wide throughout. Hernandez had the 3-year-old colt in third on the backstretch, tracking Westwood, who set a fair pace of 23.42 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.17 for a half-mile.
British Isles joined Westwood on the lead toward the end of the backstretch. With a three-wide move, Nevada Beach joined the leaders. He moved closer to the front after urging from Hernandez.
In the winner’s circle, Hernandez said the distance of the $98,000 Native Diver Stakes was on the lower end of Nevada Beach’s preference.
“Around the three-eighths pole, I had to start working on him, because he was getting a little lazy on me,” Hernandez said.
“He wants to run more distance. He gave me a huge gallop out.”
Nevada Beach, by Omaha Beach, has won 4 of 6 starts for trainer Bob Baffert and owners Mike Pegram, Karl Watson and Paul Weitman in a career that began with a win in a maiden race at a mile at Santa Anita in April.
Nevada Beach was second to the Baffert-trained Gaming in the Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on June 8 before winning consecutive starts in the Los Alamitos Derby on June 28 and the Grade 1 Goodwood Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Sept. 27.
In the BC Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar on Nov. 1, Nevada Beach was as close as sixth on the backstretch before fading to finish 11 3/4 lengths behind race winner Forever Young.
Nevada Beach has earned $426,500. He was purchased for $260,000 at the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
PICK SIX RETURNS
Saturday’s $2 pick six paid $42,879 on a program that began with a carryover of $51,879 from last Sunday.
The pick six encompassed the fourth through ninth races on Saturday. The winners were Aloha Dreamin ($11), Amelia’s Echo ($4.40), Coralgableskaylin ($25.20), Christel Clean ($3.20), Nevada Beach ($2.20) and So Happy ($78).
Amelia’s Echo, Christel Clean, and Nevada Beach were favored.
Bettors added $476,910 to the pick six pool on Saturday.
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